A Designated Driver is
a drinking-age adult who agrees not to drink any alcoholic beverages, and
to safely transport anyone else home. If it's a large group, more than one
Designated Driver may be needed. Designated Drivers should not drink any alcoholic
beverages; therefore, they are never the person least drunk. A Designated
Driver can be used anywhere people ride together after drinking alcohol, including
private homes, bars, sporting events, restaurants or office parties. Designated
Drivers are also important when someone is taking medication that makes them
drowsy or otherwise impaired and not fit to drive.

WHO
SHOULD USE A SAFE RIDE?

Safe Ride programs are
intended for those who drink or plan to drink alcohol or take prescription
and non-prescription drugs that may affect driving. Find out about Safe Ride
programs in your community, and how they operate. If one does not exist in
your community, ask local businesses and community service groups to start
one, to ensure that everyone has a safe and sober way home.

CONCLUSION

Impaired driving is a
serious problem that affects every American. By starting or expanding a Designated
Driver program, your community will help fight impaired driving. Designated
Driver and Safe Ride programs, highly visible law enforcement mobilizations
and training programs, help change attitudes about impaired driving. These
measures also help to create greater public awareness of the problem and provide
alternatives to impaired driving.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

FACT: Impaired
driving is a chronic problem that will affect one in three Americans during
their lifetime. Nearly
42,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. Approximately 16,000
of these deaths are alcohol-related.

FACT: The loss
of lives due to impaired driving is completely preventable. There are alternatives
to impaired driving: